Editorial

Editorial, Theology
October 22, 2020

Mind the Gap: First Principles and Popular Theology

written by Editors

Theologizing in the internet era is a tricky business.  We can and must do better.

by Father John Cox

Rule of Faith‘s managing editor addressed the faculty and students of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary on October 13, 2020.

Your Eminence, your Grace, Reverend Fathers, esteemed seminarians, brothers and sisters in Christ, I happen to know that Father John Parker, the dean of this institution, loves ice cream. In his honor, I have structured my talk accordingly. Did you ever eat an ice cream sundae? The kind with scoops of ice cream piled up, with whipped cream on top of that, and with a cherry on top of that? Imagine that someone came along and flicked the cherry off the top of your sundae. You might reasonably weigh the consequences of second-degree homicide against this shocking display of immorality. (more…)

Editorial, Praxis, Theology
August 10, 2020

The Year of the Spoon

written by Editors

by Father John Cox

Orthodoxy is no stranger to theological disagreement. Our most fundamental doctrinal affirmations emerge from the forge of heated debates about the person and nature(s) of Christ and the hypostasis (or lack thereof) of the Holy Spirit. Among the many larger than life figures that belong to the story of these events Ss. Athanasius and Maximus the Confessor loom particularly large, not only for the theological acumen of their contributions, but also because of the pathos of their lonely struggle for Orthodoxy in the face of overwhelming opposition. But for every critical doctrinal dispute, (more…)

Editorial
November 1, 2019

Rule of Faith Begins

written by Editors

It is given to our Orthodox Church through the Holy Spirit to fathom the mysteries of God. And she is strong in the holiness of her thought and her patience.
— St. Silouan the Athonite


by The Editors

Welcome to Rule of Faith. Let us tell you about ourselves and our mission.

We are a diverse group of scholars — clergy, monastics, and laity — who nurture an abiding love for the Church and her Holy Tradition. We are eastern and western, “cradle” and convert, and represent various Orthodox jurisdictions. We are united in affirming the theanthropic life that the Church makes available to each of us through the Holy Spirit, by means of, and within, her Tradition. This life is (more…)